Week of November 23, 2003
Saturday, November 29 2003 | dmac
Radial Now Available for OS X
Cycling '74 has released Radial 1.1 for Mac OS X, an extensible loop-based composition and performance tool. Radial 1.1 takes advantage of Mac OS X's Core Audio and Core MIDI, allowing the use of multiple audio and MIDI interfaces at very low latency. Radial 1.1 also includes several enhancements including a convenient new file grouping mechanism and improved sync capabilities. Not simply another loop sequencer for real-time tinkering with tempo and pitch on multiple loops, Radial is a loop-based performance software with a unique interface thoughtfully optimized for playing live. The program is based on loop channels represented by circular displays, each with its own performable multi-filter and pitch shifting/time scaling. Almost every aspect of the system can be configured for live performance, studio recording, or sound exploration, controlled from a variety of sources (control surfaces, MIDI, keyboard or mouse). Radial features complete multi-channel audio I/O support, audio and effects routing, and support for VST plug-ins. Radial supports all major audio file formats and I/O standards. As a bonus, you get a dozen plug-in effects from the Pluggo collection, as well as a free library of loops. Pluggo 1.1 includes new plug-ins for live audio input, parameter automation and reverb. Price and Availability Radial has a suggested retail price of $199 and is available for purchase or download. Version 1.1 of Radial for OS X is available as a free upgrade to all registered Radial users. For more information, visit their web site at www.cycling74.com.
Saturday, November 29 2003 | dmac
Traxmusic updates...
We'v just added two new artivles to the Reviews and articles section: - Six Extremely cool free VST effects, written by Derik White.
- Software Bass Lines 1 - A Virtual 303 Shootout, written by Michael McGrath. Also added are another two VST basics tutorials: - Virtual Instruments - Installation.
How do you install virtual instruments? Having any problem with the process? Then have a read and make it clearer. - Virtual Instruments - Recording & Automation.
All the hard work is done and you have installed your VSTi or DXi virtual instruments. Now is the time for making some music and recording it. This article deals with how to insert virtual instruments into your tracks, how to record them, and how to mix them. Check'm out, with more to come pritty soon! Enjoy.
Saturday, November 29 2003 | dmac
DASH signature EVE V1.18! Resonance controls and Electro Drum Kit SoundSet.
New features for EVE V1.18! Resonance controls and Electro Drum Kit SoundSet.
More sound design power for EVE now, each of the 3 LP filter now have adjustable resonance so it can really sweeps. Presets Bank updated.
Also a first Drum Kit with vintage analog samples comes as free upgrade.
More sets to come.
EVE users can download the update right away.
Also updated on EVE V1.06. - Sustain pedal fix.
- Init preset as requested by some users
- The Sound-Set picture display now shows waveforms for all "Waveforms" category instead of the "Waveshape" logo/text.
- Fixed a problem on the TapeDelay Echo, it was causing a denormal issue on P4 machines.
Friday, November 28 2003 | dmac
Orion Platinum 5 out!
Orion Platinum 5 is finally available. Long-awaited features include ReWire2 master/slave, a completely new drum module, audio recording and much more! The upgrade from Platinum 4 is available as an electronic download for an introductory price of just $49, regular price is $99. Also from synapse-audio: ULTAN SAMPLE CD. A new sample CD "Liquid Steel" specifically for the ULTRAN is now available too. It contains about 400 mb of sampledata, 250 presets and demo songs. For a period of 4 weeks it can be purchased for $29 (regular $49). More @ Synapse-audio.com.
Friday, November 28 2003 | dmac
release 22 of caotica2 now available.
release 22 - version 1.44.50- effect normalize 1.0 has been added.
- tool BPM calculator 1.0 has been added.
- tool windows calculator 1.0 has been added.
- tool file statistics 1.1 has been added and includes new measurements.
- tool preferences 1.5 has been added and includes a folder browser.
More @ caotica2.
Thursday, November 27 2003 | dmac
"The Hybridizer" Multi-CD Sample Library Released
This new 4-disc title from Big Fish Audio was created for electronica enthusiasts, filled with aggressive sounds and grooves just waiting to be unleashed.The first two discs in the set are in audio format while the latter two CDs contain the Acidized beats. Including: 65-148 BPM Construction Kits Drum Loops Kicks Snares Hats Bass Bass Guitars Killa Guitars Fenderized TB Leads The Hybridizer is a four-CD set containing Audio and Acidized WAV format samples. MSRP: $99.95.
For more information, visit their web site at www.bigfishaudio.com.
Wednesday, November 26 2003 | dmac
New Analog-Style EQ Plug-In from Voxengo
GlissEQ is an analog-style equalizer in PC VST plug-in format. What sets GlissEQ apart is its dynamic equalization performance. Using almost any existing equalizer you always get what you have set: if you specify a +6 dB boost at 100 Hz you get exactly a +6 dB boost at 100 Hz, also visible on the spectrum analyser. GlissEQ offers a slightly different approach. When you specify +6 dB at 100 Hz you don't necessarily get +6 dB of gain. Actual filter gain is adjusted dynamically according to the program material you are performing filtering on. Such 'dynamic nature' of GlissEQ gives you a much more friendly, assisting filtering experience says Voxengo. Boosting up the highs will not necessarily create the fatiguing effect of overload. Instead, you will get a pleasant transient-emphasizing effect bringing life and dimension to your track. This transient emphasizing works for every frequency you tune the filter to: it can be useful at the lower and the mid frequencies to give more punch to the track. Moreover, the strength of transient emphasizing and the overall filter gain adjustment can be controlled with a special 'Dyn' control. Voxengo GlissEQ features: - Five filter bands
- Five filter types
- "High quality" mode
- 'A-to-B' comparisons
- Highly optimized assembler DSP
- Stereo-to-Stereo processing mode
- Any sample rate is supported
- Factory presets
- 64-bit internal precision
The introductory price for GlissEQ is US$59. Voxengo also offers the ' Colouring Suite' which is composed of GlissEQ and Lampthruster tube pre-amp simulation plug-in. For more information, visit their web site at www.voxengo.com.
Wednesday, November 26 2003 | dmac
Plugin updates...
Tuesday, November 25 2003 | dmac
Soundart Release RoomverbM1 Studio Reverb Skin by Spin Audio
Soundart and Spin Audio are pleased to launch a dedicated reverb soundskin for the Chameleon - ROOMVERB M1. With this skin loaded the Chameleon rack becomes a high-quality true-stereo reverb unit for use on stage or in the studio. This takes the number of different FX machines the Chameleon can morph between to five. It has been ported to the Chameleons DSP chips from Spin Audio's respected native Roomverb M1 plug-in. Their reverb technology recently won praise in the UK Magazine Sound-On-Sound (October 03) for its great sound and the fact in could even rival hardware reverbs. Now thanks to the Chameleon, fans of the Roomverb plug-in sound can now take it on-stage with the total peace of mind offered by DSP hardware. And of course, it is offered FREE by Soundart to all Chameleon users. Some highlights include: - Acoustic space sizes range from small bath rooms to large halls
Room\Hall\Plate simulation - Diffuse control for simulation of irregular room shapes
- Separate mix and predelay control of Early and Late reflections
- Relative L/R Shift control
ROOMVERB M1 is currently Beta, with a full version to follow shortly. The full version will include many more features such as bypass control, input clip meters, different room types and 100 presets crafted by pro studio engineers. All Chameleon users can download the new skin FREE at soundart-hot.com.
Tuesday, November 25 2003 | dmac
Sony Oxford Inflator plug-in released...
For a limited time, TC Electronic will offer a special bundle that includes PowerCore PCI and the Sony Oxford Inflator plug-in for EUR 1225/USD 1495. PowerCore (available as PCI or external FireWire unit) is the open platform DSP engine for signal processing for Mac and PC. Its processing power seamlessly integrates with any Audio Units- or VST compatible host application, including Logic, Cubase, Digital Performer, Nuendo, Live and others. PowerCore includes ten TC plug-ins right out of the box. More optional plug-ins from TC and other companies such as Sony, TC-Helicon, Waldorf and D-Sound are becoming available all the time. The Sony Oxford Inflator, which traditionally sells as an optional plug-in for PowerCore at EUR 220/USD 340, provides an increase in the apparent loudness of almost any audio material, without obvious loss of quality or audible reduction of dynamic range. While it avoids damaging increases in peak signal levels, it brings power, presence and warmth to recorded material with a subtlety and musical character reminiscent of tube systems. The PowerCore PCI and Sony Oxford Inflator plug-in bundle will be available by the end of November at EUR 1225/USD 1495. For more information, visit their web site at www.tcelectronic.com.
Tuesday, November 25 2003 | dmac
HALion v2.0.2.2
Steinberg have updated the OS X version of HALion to v2.0.2.2. New: - OS X 10.3 (Panther) compatibility.
- Improved loading times of fxp/fxb files.
More @ Steinberg.
Monday, November 24 2003 | dmac
Cubase SL 2.0 Now Shipping
Steinberg has announced that Cubase SL, the music production application for professional producers, studios and musicians on a budget, is now shipping in the latest 2.0 version. Utilizing the same technology and workflow features as the acclaimed Cubase SX 2.0 digital audio workstation and over 50 new features, Cubase SL 2.0 sports a plethora of new possibilities: - The VST 2.3 audio engine already forms the backbone of Steinberg's Nuendo and Cubase SX production systems. Now Cubase SL users can also enjoy the same sound quality with features such as 32-bit floating point resolution and full latency compensation across all channels.
- A new look and feel increases workflow efficiency, with configurable toolbar and track controls allowing Cubase SL users to modify their music-making environment in Cubase SL to best suit their needs.
- The redesigned mixer now offers the added flexibility of FX return channels, allowing EQing and combining of several effects.
- With the improved handling of multiple parts, users can open and work on several MIDI or audio parts within the same editor.
- The Freeze function for VST Instruments dramatically reduces CPU load by rendering VSTi tracks invisibly in the background and deactivating that instrument. As soon as the user wishes to edit "frozen" tracks, a second single click on the Freeze button makes the instrument available again for editing.
The list of new features also includes the new Time Warp Tool for quick tempo editing and the Stacked Recording mode that lets users record and compile multiple takes directly within a single track in the Project Window. Steinberg's Cubase SL 2.0 fills the gap between entry-level home recording solutions and sophisticated high-end professional studio workstations. It offers most of the professional features of Cubase SX 2.0 with few exclusions like surround mixing and advanced score editing, while still being capable of being integrated even into large studio systems. Cubase SL is priced at Euro 344.00 (MSRP) excluding VAT. The Upgrade price to Cubase SL 2.0 from Cubase SL 1.0 is Euro 85.00 (MSRP) excluding VAT. For more information, visit their web site at www.steinberg.net.
Monday, November 24 2003 | dmac
Plugin updates...
- FXpansion BFD v1.0.5 has been released for windows. Download.
- discoDSP Phantom released.
Sunday, November 23 2003 | dmac
Digidesign Updates Pro Tools TDM and LE
Digidesign has released an update for Pro Tools. The new 6.2.2 version for both TDM and LE systems gains enhancements for Panther and Apple G5 systems. It's available now for Mac OS X.
According to Digidesign, the new Pro Tools software in the Phase II rollout provides support for Mac OS X 10.3.1 and Apple G5 systems for Digi 002, Digi 002 Rack and Mbox, as well as certain Pro Tools|HD, HD Accel, and LE configurations. Pro Tools TDM 6.2.2 adds Mac OS X 10.3.1 support with Power Mac G5 to Pro Tools|HD and Pro Tools|HD Accel systems (with limited voice/track support) and includes limited compatibility of AVoption|XL with Pro Tools|HD and Pro Tools|HD Accel for the dual 2 GHz G5 model running Mac OS X 10.3.1. The voice/track issue currently limits HD and HD Accel systems to 100 tracks at 48 kHz, 70 tracks at 96 kHz or 24 tracks at 192 kHz. SCSI storage is not yet supported, except with the AVoption|XL. Improvements to track/voice counts and full SCSI support are expected in the Phase III rollout either late this year or early next.
Pro Tools LE 6.2.2 adds support for G5s with Mac OS X 10.3.1 to Digi 002, Digi 002 Rack and Mbox. Other new compatibility includes Mac OS X 10.3.1 with Digi 002, Digi 002 Rack and Mbox when using currently shipping PowerBooks, iBooks, iMacs and shipping Power Mac G4s, according to Digidesign.
Both updaters are available now free of charge for Pro Tools 6 users. A Web-based updater will be available in December. For more information, visit http://www.digidesign.com.
Sunday, November 23 2003 | dmac
Traxmusic update: The Anatomy of a Z3tA+ patch.
The Anatomy of a Z3tA+ patch.
The famous z3ta+ synth by RGCaudio is extremely powerful, yet can be daunting to many players. Derik has created a patch and will attempt to walk you (the reader) through it step by step so it may be a bit easier to manage. He have used the mod matrix extensively and even have a neat trick with the mod wheel. If your a Z3tA+ user, then this is essential reading... Enjoy.
Sunday, November 23 2003 | dmac
fat-ass plugins updates
The guys over at fat-ass, have updated their website, and you'l see there is a sneak preview of BCG, their first commercial plugin. BCG is a monosynth with optional FX. As well as being automatable by VST automation all parameters have a midi cc# assigned for ease of use in a midi environment. To give you some idea of how it sounds, a demo version (without fx and with an occasional meep) is downloadable from their support forum. More @ fat-ass.
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